Edge trim device



Sept' 30, 1958 l J. A. DAvlEs E-r A1. 2,853,750

- EDGE TRIM DEVICE Filed May 2, 1955 *f E i A -7 4 aA f' J1 i C11 (J 4 7 13 UniflI Statement This invention relates to improvements in an edge trim device fortable tops, vsink tops, `desk tops, counter tops and the ilike which may bev covered by a decorative laminate;y

In the application of decorative laminate surfaces to the tops ofy tables, sinks, desks, counters and-the like, it is desirable to nish theedges thereof with a trim which, in addition to improvingthe appearance of the installation protects the edgeof Y thev llaminate where it terminates `adjacent the edge-of thelsupporting structure. Devices have heretofore been proposed for accomplishingthe purpose, Ahe-reinbefore described, but such vdevices are Yunsatisfactory in -th-attheyare more or less cornpiicated,-expensive andditiicult-to apply: or are so cumbersome 'asto detract from the-appearance of thetlaminate. The present invention is directed to a trim device of the character described which is easy to apply, enhances the appearance of the installation and is economical to construct and, in addition, protects the edge of the laminate from injury both during application of the trim device and during normal use of the structure which carries the laminate.

The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawing and following detailed description.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sec- -tion of the improved trim device contemplated in the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, partially diagrammatic, illustrating the trim device in pre-securing position relative to the decorative laminate.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the trim device in laminate securing linal position.

Referring in detail to the drawing, and with specific reference to Figs. 2` and 3, 1 indicates a support upon the upper surface of which a decorative laminate 2 is adapted to be positioned. The support 1 may comprise a table top, desk top, sink top, counter top or the like, and the decorative laminate 2 when applied to the top 1 is adapted to provide a surface which is attractive, resistant to stains, burns, abrasions and the like.

Normally, the decorative laminate'is coextensive with the upper surface 'of the support 1. However, some treatment must be given to the edges of the laminate, that is, where the edges of the laminate terminate coextensive with the edges of the support. To merely leave the edges raw, that is, in severed condition coextensive with the edges of the support detracts from the appearance of the structure and in addition said edges are exposed to the greatest wear vand delamination may take place at said edges. To cure this defect a trim device is ordinarily. employed. The subject of the present invention is directed to a trim device which s ideally adapted to perform the function of finishing'the edges of the structure and of protecting the exposed edges of the decorative laminate.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, a portion of a trim i Xdevice embodying the concepts of the present invention is r2,853,750 Patented Septr30, 1958 Icev indicated vby the'reference vnumeral 3. VThe device 3 is preferably constructed of metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, or the like. `AThe device is of angular construction and Acomprises a front ange 4 and an angularly disposed rearwardly extending an'ge 5. At the upper edge of the'front ange 4 abead 6 is formed, the rear edge of the bead 6 terminating in lan overhanging shoulder 7. Inview of the fact that the front ange 4 is exposed to view along the peripheral edges of the structure a panel7 is disposed'upon the outer surface of the iiange.Y The panelmay comprise arprint'sheet, similar to the print sheet employed upon `the decorative laminate 2 and a face sheet similar to the face. sheet upon the laminate 2, both of said sheets being `laminated together and 4both being saturated or impregnated 4with resin in the manner hereinbefore described. yThe panel 7'thus formed may 'be adhesively unitedto the front face of the ilange4 and provides a border around the structure which harmonizes with the surface of the laminate 2;

"The 'ange 5 is preferably disposed atright angles to theI ilan'ge 4' and' joins with said flange along a line on theilag'e Y4 'spacedfrom the shoulder 7 thus providing a groove A8 cnetween the shoulder 7 and theupper surface of the-,flange 5 -where it joins with the ange 4. Preferably;the` thickness of the ange 5 is somewhatless than r than the thickness of the llange 4.

Inemp'loying the jtrim"device 3, thedecorativelaminate 2 is"A positioned upon the "upperY surface ofthe ,support 21' andf-is-adhesivelyunited by means of a suitable adhesive 9 throughout the major portion of the juxtaposed areas of the member 1 and laminate 2. The flange 5 is provided with a plurality of elongated slots 10 which are disposed with their axes at substantially right-angles to the plane of the flange 4, the slots 10 being spaced from each other throughout the length of the trim device. Bolts 11 may be positioned through the thickness of the supporting member 1, said bolts being positioned adjacent the edge 0f the supporting member and in spaced relationship corresponding to the spacing of adjacent slots in the flange 5. In positioning the bolts through the support 1, said bolts are also projected through slots 10, said bolts having relatively flat heads 12 which engage the upper surface Iof the flange 5 adjacent the sides of the slot.

Initially the device 3 is positioned with the inner face of the flange 4 spaced from the defining edges of the support 1 and decorative laminate 2, as illustrated in Y Fig. 2. In this position the bolt heads 12- will be disposed at the outer ends of the slots 10 and the flange 5 will be positioned beneath the edge portion of the decorative laminate Z. Thus, before the laminate is applied to the support 1, the trim devices may be mounted in position and the edge portions of the laminate may be laid over the flange 5 without bending or buckling the laminate. When the device is in this position nuts 13 carried at the ends of the bolts 11 are loose whereby the flange 5 may be readily moved toward the edges of the support 1 and decorative laminate 2. After the laminate has been disposed in desired coextensive relationship with the upper surface of the support 1 and has been secured thereto by the adhesive 9 the trim device 3 may be moved inwardly toward the edges of the support 1 and decorative laminate 2, the shoulder 7 moving over the edge portions of the decorative laminate and conning said edge portions in the slot 8. After the `trim device has been so moved, the nuts 13 may be tightened whereby the trim device may be securely locked upon the edge portions of the structure. This position of the parts is illustrated in Fig. 3.

The slot 8 is of a width slightly greater than the thickness of the laminate 2 whereby the laminate snugly lits into said slot. However, it will be noted that the tightening of the nuts 13 when the-trim device is in the position shown in Fig. k3 does notwcause the shoulder portion Y 7 Vof the bead V6"to bite into or mar the edge portion ofthe laminate. Yet, saidedge portion is adequately protected by the trim device. -The bead 6 is predfeijalrly polished aridadds,.anffattractiv'eV finishuttheV edge portions'of the structure. f

y Although bolts are the preferable fastening.'means em- Y initially driven into the support 1 when the trim device-` is in the position illustrated Vin Fig.2, Vbefore the laminate edge portion overlays the heads ofthe fasteningv means. To move the .trim deviceA from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3 it would then be necessary to force the trimfdevice inwardly'toward the edge of the support 1 by hammering. In some instances this type of fastening may befound suitable. We claim as our invention: Y t v Y The combination of a trim device with a supporting structure carrying a surface panel Vof' the decorative laminate typewhichcomprises, a supporting structure having a definingv edge, a ydecorative laminate panel positioned vin plane Vparallel relationship upon a surface of said supporting structure and having an edge terminating at thedefining edge of said structure, a trim device for the common defining edges of said structure and said panel, said trim device comprising a front flange which extends below said supporting struc-Y ture and a securing flange rearwardly extending from the Vfront flange andA disposed at substantially right-angles to the front ange, a decorative panel carried by the front face of said front flange, a rearwardly extending shoulder carried by a longitudinal edge portion of the front ange and overhanging a portion of and spaced from the securing ange whereby a groove-isprovided between said shoulder and a portion of the securing ange, said securing flange being provided with a plurality of elon- Y gatedy slots, boltsY carried by said shoulder supporting-l' outwardly from the defining edge of thepanel to a secur-k ableY position where the edge portion of the surface panel is confined in said groove with the shoulder overhanging the outer surface of the edge portion of the panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent Y UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,611,211 Loehl` Dec. 21, 1926 1,768,731 Aubrey a July 1, 1930 1,989,814 MacNab et al.' Feb.V 5,1935 2,205,044 YMooreA June 18, 1940 2,292,755 Hall Aug.r 11, 1942 2,612,423 Hennell -...Q J ..-'Sept. 30, 1952, 2,705,820

Torrence Apr.- 12, 1955 

